Pages

Thursday, February 11, 2016

It's Not You, It's Me: The Word for Yes by Claire Needell

The Word for Yes by Claire Needell

After their parents’ divorce, Jan, Erika, and Melanie have to get used to the new world order: a father who’s moved to another continent and a mother who throws herself into moving on. Jan, off at her first semester of college, has plenty to worry about, including an outspoken roommate who’s kind of “out there” and an increasingly depressed and troubled long-distance boyfriend. Her younger sisters, left at home in New York City, and dealing with all the pressures of life in high school, aren’t exactly close. Erika is serious and feels awkward and uncomfortable in crowds, though her beauty tends to attract attention. Melanie is socially savvy and just wants to go out—to concerts, to parties, wherever—with her friends. The gap between all three girls widens as each day passes.Then, at a party full of blurred lines and blurred memories, everything changes. Starting that night, where there should be words, there is only angry, scared silence.And in the aftermath, Jan, Erika, and Melanie will have to work hard to reconnect and help one another heal.At once touching and raw, Claire Needell’s first novel is an honest look at the love and conflicts among sisters and friends, and how these relationships can hold us together—and tear us apart.

GR
Publishes in US: February 16th 2016 by HarperTeen
Genre: ya contemp
Source: Harper Teen via Edelweiss
Disclaimer: I received this book as an ARC (advanced review copy). I am not paid for this review, and my opinions in this review are mine, and are not effected by the book being free.

** Audience alert: This is a book with dark or difficult themes. Young adults that have made hard choices from hard backgrounds. It deals with underage drinking and partying and the rape culture. It is a young adult book, but if under 18, ask parent's guidance.

I have done this several times on my blog. Books that just don't work for me. I know my reading style pretty well, and I can tell whether I will like the book or not accurately about 80-90% of the time. If I finish a book, then there are aspects of that book that I enjoyed. I never talk about the author in a negative way, I only say what doesn't work for me. Normally if I finish a book, I give it at least 3 stars, meaning that I liked it.

Stopped at 12%

I wanted to read The Word for Yes because it deals with a very important issue--the date rape culture, and if drunk sex counts as consensual sex. The family dynamics also seemed to be one that would appeal to me.

However, Melanie and me did not click. She seemed really whiny and judgmental, and it didn't give me any precursor, a reason to relate to her, and a reason to connect with her before thrown into what felt like an info dump of the family getting and dealing with divorce. Melanie said things like big people annoy me. and I just couldn't. I feel like the characters were all introduced too quickly, I wanted more time to figure them out.

That isn't to say that the writing is poor or the characters are poorly constructed, it's personal on my end.

Positive Reviews:Diary of a Book Addict says "This book broke my heart. I mean in a good way"Jamie from Goodreads says "Needell takes on the very complicated topic of modern teenage sexuality and rape culture in a way that is frank, honest, and real."

My question to you, my lovely readers:
How many POV are too many in general for you?

No comments:

Post a Comment

I would love to hear from you! (I always try to visit your blog back) I love links, so feel free to link to your blog or a post you like. Sorry, but I am award and tag free zone, I do not have the time to return. Comments are reward enough :)

Connect with Brandi

Giveaways exclusive to my blog

check back soon

Search

Adsense

Grab My Button!

Welcome!

I am Brandi Kosiner and this is my personal book blog. I am a 30-something stay-at-home mom to two girls. I love going to Disney, playing video and board games with my husband. I love Young Adult books, with a focus on paranormal romance, fantasy, dystopia and contemporary, especially dealing with illnesses, tough issues such as cutting, eating disorders, issues at home, etc.

Feel free to contact me.with any questions or comments. I love to hear from you!

Ratings

Subscribe via email

FTC Disclaimer

I am a personal book blogger. I purchase my books for review, get them from a library, an arc tour, from author or publisher for review, but I am NOT PAID for this service. I do it for the love of books.

I do make some cash from Blogads and Google Adsense, but that money is purely for the ads, not the reviews. Money goes towards upkeep of blog and for giveaways.